The Chairman's Message
  Partnerships
  Products & Services
  Technology
  Exceptional Service
  Moving Ahead in 2006
  Financial Reports
  Grange Leadership Team
   
 







At Grange, technology plays an integral role in delivering EODB to our agents and policyholders. In 2005, we made significant strides in the technology we offer our partners, and as a result, we were recognized nationally for our achievements (see Grange Recognized for Excellence in Technology).

Personal Lines
This year our Personal Lines team focused on improving EODB by offering “Super Easy Quoting,” which will continue to be a top priority in 2006.

In 2005, we introduced several quoting enhancements to make the quoting process faster and easier for our agents. Those enhancements include a data transfer mechanism, automated rollover processing, single entry Dual Term processing, GAINWeb Dwelling Fire for Ohio, Life cross-sell screens, Bank cross-sell screens and agency management system bridging.

In 2006, we'll continue to improve the quoting process by providing automated tiering, Earned Premium notifications, upfront real-time editing, improved GAINWeb navigation and several data entry simplifications

Commercial Lines
One of the objectives Commercial Lines achieved this year was to accelerate the automation of our commercial quoting process.

In 2005, we moved our BOP, CT, Commercial Auto (CA) and Workers' Compensation products to GAINWeb for faster, more efficient quoting, and enhanced amendment processing for BOP, CT and CA. We also worked with several agency management system vendors including Applied Systems, Agency Solutions and DORIS to deliver policy download for many Commercial products. In addition, we partnered with Applied Systems and Transformation Station to provide real-time bridging inquiry for BOP, CT and Workers' Compensation products in GAINWeb. All of these enhancements offer our agents easier access to the information they need.

In 2006, we'll continue to improve EODB and the automation of our commercial products by adding Commercial Package Policy quoting; Umbrella quoting, issuing and amending; and Workers' Compensation endorsement capabilities to GAINWeb. We'll also provide agents with access to Farmowners quoting software through GrangeAgent.com.
Life
One of the goals our Life team set this year was to leap ahead of the competition in terms of technology. We did so by leveraging our existing technology and introducing GAINWeb Life. This new section of GrangeAgent.com offers valuable information online, giving our Life agents easy access to important data and documents that will help them serve their policyholders better and write more business with Grange.

In 2005, we added to GAINWeb information on pending new business that includes real-time updates, policy data such as coverage, premium and billing information, and documents including copies of policies and annual statements. Instead of having to call us, our agents can simply log on to GrangeAgent.com to get the up-to-date information they need, whenever they need it.
Bank
As The Grange Bank continued to increase profitability in 2005, we also focused on delivering EODB through the technology we offer.

In October, GAINWeb Personal Lines was updated to include links to The Grange Bank home and auto loan rates and applications. This enhancement offers one-stop shopping for agents with customers who want to protect and finance their homes and automobiles.

At the end of 2005, we also streamlined our consumer lending application process to make it faster and more efficient. Agents can now submit a loan application and get a response in less than three minutes, which is 88 percent faster than before. They also have more information about the status of their customers' loan applications available at their fingertips.

In 2006, we'll continue to enhance GAINWeb so that tailored home and auto loan rates will be generated based on information entered in GAINWeb Personal.




Agency Interface: (left to right) Yvonne Brooks, Lynn Landon, Robin Horney, Kelly McNeil,
Sandy Miller, Jennifer Ellis and Assistant Vice President, Sherri Rarey.
 
Grange Recognized for Excellence in Technology
 

Bob Reid
Internet Services Manager
Carol Drake
Vice President, Marketing
   

As we've committed ourselves to offering leading edge technology, our greatest achievement is making a difference for our agents. Being recognized nationally for our technology, however, helps validate that we're indeed among the best in
the industry.

In November, The A.M. Best Company presented Grange with the E-Fusion Award in the Agent/Broker Management category for GrangeAgent.com. Designed to enhance agent workflow and streamline business, this agency extranet supports Grange AgentWaresm and enables our agents to electronically manage their book of business.

Since we launched GrangeAgent.com in August of 2004, all of our agents have opted to use the site, and more than 92 percent of all new business and 94 percent of all policy changes are being entered into the new system.

Grange AgentWare helps me serve my customers efficiently and effectively,” said Terry Kelso, principal of Associated Insurance Agencies. “When a customer has a claim, needs to alter a policy or wants more information about another product Grange offers, that information is available in a matter of a few key strokes. This tool is an excellent example of Ease of Doing Business with Grange.”

In addition the E-Fusion Award, Grange also received two Applied Systems Ease of Doing Business awards, one for Personal Lines and one for Commercial Lines. These awards recognize insurance carriers who are judged the best at advancing agency-company interface.

We look forward to continuing to bring our partners the best technology has to offer in 2006.
Grange Insurance Companies  •   650 South Front Street  •   Columbus, Ohio 43206  •   www.grangeinsurance.com